Overton Better Than Woods; IU Better Than Michigan?

Who knew that Jeff Overton was better than Tiger Woods?

Granted, Woods has had, by far, the better career. Woods remains the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer. But for nine months Overton, an unheralded former Indiana golfing standout, has bested Woods on the golf courses of America.

For instance, Overton qualified for the Ryder Cup on his own merits. Woods made it as an at-large pick by captain Corey Pavin. Overton and the U.S. begin Ryder Cup play today in South Wales.

Overton had 10 top-25 finishes, six top-10 finishes and five top-three finishes. He finished second three times, once when Stuart Appleby shot a blazing 59 in the final round to beat Overton by a stroke.

The guy is 27 years old and he’s already earned $7.1 million in his five years on the tour, $3.456 million this year to rank 11th.

Overton has designated $50,000 to IU for use in the PGA of America’s Play Golf America University’s program.

He probably also kisses babies, does his own laundry and asks for directions when he gets lost.


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By now you’ve probably noticed that Indiana will host Michigan in a Big Ten football opener Saturday that MIGHT be the program’s biggest game of the century. No wonder the game is projected to be a sellout.

We say “might” because that will only happen if the Hoosiers (3-0) win. Lose and it’s just another missed opportunity for a program that’s had far too many of them over the last couple of decades.

Michigan comes in 4-0 and ranked 19th. It is not a super team, mostly because it has a very mediocre defense. The Wolverines struggle to stop everybody, and Indiana appears to have the offensive weapons, particularly through the air, to hurt them.

Michigan, of course, does have a super offense led by Denard Robinson, probably the leading Heisman Trophy contender right now. He directs a spread attack coach Rich Rodriguez mastered at West Virginia. It’s quarterback friendly in the sense quarterbacks get to run a whole bunch.

That running, by the way, is made easier by a solid offensive line. If the Hoosiers hope to have any chance of stopping Michigan, it has to control the line of scrimmage.

So while we’ve had a lot of talk about the skill players on both teams, it’s IU’s offensive and defensive linemen, the in-the-trench dudes, who will determine whether the Hoosiers get the upset.